Killer of 3: 'I'm no monster'

Dwayne White was sent to prison for just 14 years for killing three people.

CIN
12:26 p.m. EDT June 4, 2014

Dwayne White admits he killed three people. Instead of facing three life sentences, though, he'll serve 14 years in prison – less than 5 years for each killing.

That's because so many witnesses refused to cooperate that prosecutors feared they'd lose at trial. They were relieved when Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Kubicki Jr. imposed the 14-year sentence Wednesday. The sentence was agreed to by White and prosecutors as part of the plea deal.

"It's not the ideal resolution from the victims' standpoint and from (prosecutors') standpoint," Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Hardman said.

"However, we are dealing with the reality of the situation where we know that at least one of our crucial witnesses is no longer living, several others have given us a very difficult time from the beginning as far as their participation."

That includes the cases of three other people shot, but not killed, by White.

Families of the victims were not happy with White's sentence and made their feelings known at Wednesday's hearing.

"He's a monster. He has no heart," Shedrick Brookins said. He is the father of Shedrick "Little Man" Brookins, 39, killed Aug. 27, 2008, outside Martin's Bar, 111 E. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine. Another man, Reginald "Mudd" Griffin, was also convicted in Brookins' death and sent to prison for 16 years.

"I am not a monster," White said as he walked out of court, the shackles on his ankles clanking as he walked.

Yes, he is, and he should watch his back when he gets out of prison, Nathaniel Tubbs told him. Tubbs is the father of Nathaniel Sanders, 20, killed Sept. 26, 2008, on the West End's Dayton Street. His body was found wearing a bullet-resistant vest. He'd been shot in the stomach and head.

"I can never find closure for a son I lost to a coward," Tubbs said. "I feel like (White) maneuvered the system. He only gets 14 years for three bodies.

"One thing for sure and to be certain," Tubbs told White, "you will regret this situation, my man. I promise you that."

White, 29, also shot and killed Quintin Wathel, 29, Oct. 5, 2008, in the 2000 block of the West End's Colerain Avenue.

It took police and prosecutors three years to bring the case before a grand jury because of the lack of witness cooperation. Many of those who cooperated, though, became frightened after the indictment and in the three years since refused to help.

In addition to the three killings, White also was convicted of drug and weapons charges and shooting three others.